Recruit axes Minnesota, commits to FIU

The football program was anticipating three key recruits to take their official visit this weekend to the Twin Cities.

The trio of three-star recruits have just two weeks to go until National Signing Day.  The group, led by Florida prep star Vontarius West, was set to land at the airport Friday night.

On Wednesday night, West decided the visit was not necessary.  The cornerback elected to be Golden.

A Golden Panther.

West visited Florida International last week and committed to the Golden Panthers.

FIU is entering into Conference USA from the Sun Belt conference.  The Golden Panthers have a new coaching staff in place this season after the program fired Mario Cristobal.

The new coaching staff, headed by former Illinois coach Ron Turner, has pegged interest from local recruits.  Turner was the head coach of the Fighting Illini for three seasons.

West was waiting for an offer from Minnesota, but had offers from Boston College, Iowa State, and South Florida.

Nov 24 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Florida International Golden Panthers head coach Mario Cristobal before a game against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at FIU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

The Gophers still have two more slated to visit this weekend.

Raphael Webb and Nate Wozniak are the duo of official recruits.  Webb is a running back out of Florida.  With position changes in place for Devon Wright and David Cobb, the Gophers are short at the running back position.  Minnesota has one running back recruiting verbally committed to the program.

Wozniak, a tight end out of Indiana, would be a nice addition for the Gophers.  The tight end is listed at 6-foot-9 and can play a combination of tight end and offensive line.